Zambia World Wide

At this time the injections were given in the stomach, not in the arm as they are given now. They are without doubt the worst injection a nurse can be asked to give and are very painful for the patient. There were about 20 children all between 3 and 5 years old. Although there was a lot of crying and screaming, I have a lot of admiration for these children. They would have put many of us adult to shame. In all Gary would have to have eleven injections, nine were given in Zambia and the last two would have to be given in England. The vaccine had to be kept chilled or it would be ineffective. The only way we could keep the vaccine chilled was to put in a flask and pack the flask with ice. This worked while we were travelling but we had to rely on the hotel to keep it chilled while we were there and the airlines to supply ice when we needed it. Needless to say everyone did their bit and we arrived at Heathrow with the vaccine still packed with ice. Before our arrival in Great Yarmouth we were not too concerned about Gary having the last injections in England, as our doctor here was German and we felt sure he would manage quite easily. We were wrong, our doctor was on holiday and the doctor standing in for him had no idea how to give the injection. Eventually after reading the instructions and listening to us he managed. I am glad he had to give two injections and not all eleven. Having watched him did make us realise how good the nurses were in our own hospital.

When we left England in 1972 we rented our bungalow out and since we would only be in the country for six weeks, did not really want to ask the tenants to leave. Somehow we felt it wouldn’t be right. My parents had offered to put us up for the duration of our visit, an offer we gladly accepted. I also think they had an ulterior motive as it meant they would see much more of Gary and Craig. We felt slightly strange and bewildered for a day or so, we had been gone for almost three years and lived a different way of life. We were told by my parents that there had been many changes in the town since we went away, somehow we expected everything to be the same as when we left. The first day we spent most of the day meeting relatives who had waited a long time to see Craig and now had the chance. For us it was a chance to relax and catch up on all the local gossip. The only decision we made that day was to find a car as soon as possible. The first few days were quite hectic, we seemed to have very little time to go round the town or visit the places we had waited to see for some time. After the first week, things calmed down and we were able to buy a car, it was a Cortina 1600cc Estate in reasonable condition and about the size we had been looking for. It is strange how when you live in a town from childhood, how little you really know about the town, and seem to take everything around you for granted. Having left the town for some time and then returning, we saw the town in a different way. Probably though the eyes of a tourist rather than a resident, as we walked through the town and along the promenade we noticed many buildings and features that were there long before we left. Yet until now were unaware of their existence.

When we left Great Yarmouth in 1972 there was no one-way system. On our return the area around the Haven Bridge was all one-way, this did confuse us for a time as it had also apparently confused many of the residents, when the system was first introduced. The market in the town centre was still the main attraction for Jan as it had always been when we lived here. In the winter it was quite a small market which sold a range of goods from fruit and vegetables to hardware and clothing. In the summer it doubled in size and an even greater variety of goods were to be found. It was paradise for Jan who could wander round a market all day and often buy nothing. The boys and I soon got fed up with the crowds all pushing and shoving, and having walked round once would arrange to meet Jan later. Gary and Craig much preferred to walk around the shops and stores, in particular the toy shops which they had not seen before. Most of the shops at the time were situated around the market which was convenient. I am sure that many people must have thought they were deprived or a little crazy, their antics and excitement were amusing to watch. They had never seen such a variety of cakes, sweets and ice cream. Like most children they wanted everything at once, we had told them about England and how there were no shortages. I am sure until now they were not sure whether to believe us, fortunately for us the novelty did wear off although it was fun while it lasted.